Common Cycling Injuries

The more common injuries seen in cycling are either overuse problems due to the poor set up of bike to cyclist, or because the training is one dimensional and the athlete does not incorporate other elements necessary for developing their all round fitness.

Common Injuries:
Most of the conditions listed below are related to overuse/overtraining. An overall remedial approach would be to decrease the amount and type of training.
Other changes need to include a stretching regime and an increase in rest days. As noted previously, the bikes set up needs to be taken into account as well.

Ulnar Neuropathy:
Or hand numbness, this is related to pressure on the handlebars for extended periods of time.
Adjustments to the cyclists position is essential, this will enable the pressure
to be taken off of the area and redistribute the weight of the body appropriately.

Overtraining:
Athletes sometimes in order to reach a goal forget to rest and allow the body to have enough time to build on the effects of the training. Too much
of something is not necessarily a good thing, and in this case, less is
best.
Some of the signs and symptoms of overtraining are: tiredness, pain in muscles and joints, a drop in performance despite the amount of training, increased incidence of injuries, insomnia, headaches, moodiness, irritability, depression, loss of enthusiasm for the sport, decreased appetite, decreased immunity seen by an increase in
colds.

Piriformis Syndrome:
This is related to overtraining, in particular working the area of the gluts. Piriformis is an external hip rotator, and if overstressed can build in size to the point of putting pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing pain or numbness down the leg or in the hip.
Other factors that need to be taken into consideration are postural and biomechanical behaviours as well as the set up of the bike.

Knee Pain:
This can be difficult to diagnose unless you have an appropriate level of
knowledge and training.
It can range from ligament problems (ACL, PCL, LCL, MCL), meniscus tears, to conditions such as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, and Chondromalacia.
Accurate diagnosis is key, immediate treatment if acute is to apply R.I.C.E.

Achilles Tendinitis:
It is a chronic overuse of the tendon which crosses the posterior portion of the ankle joint.
Further recommendations are to stop speed and hill training, and to include remedial massage techniques to increase length and decrease tension
of the tendon.

Bike Set Up:
Usually speed and efficiency is the prime reason for the setup of the athletes bike, it is quite different from the more casual rider, who is not entering a triathalon or duathalon. The basis for their set up is more likely geared towards comfort. In both cases it is vitally important that the set up is appropriate and does not unduly stress areas of the body.

Whether you are just starting out or have been cycling for years, the right set up for your body type and particular discipline is essential to remaining injury free.
There are a vast range of bikes such a mountain bikes, road bikes, and hybrids.
The appropriate position is based on the body parts that make contact with the bike. The three points that determine this are the hands, feet and seat. The relative position of each of these will affect the efficiency and comfort of the bike.

There are several variables that will determine the position of each of these; the crank length, distance from crank centre or bottom bracket to the saddle, saddle angle, seat tube angle and saddle offset, distance from saddle to handlebar, relative height of saddle and handlebar, handlebar width and handlebar drop on road style handlebars.
Even if your client has been cycling for years, or competes at a semi professional level, they may never have had their set up evaluated and not realise how much more comfortable and efficient their ride could be. The fitting is best left to professional bike fitting services unless the person has the relevant knowledge.
If they are running into problems, this is definitely one area that should be assessed.